In this section the jury members are no older than those of the audience. Eleven children and seven teens award the best films with Crystal Bears. Special Mentions are given for outstanding achievements. Two international juries present further prizes in the Generation Kplus and Generation 14plus competition.
Berlinale: Prizes Generation
Awards and Juries in the Generation section
Prizes of the Children’s Jury in the Competition Generation Kplus
The Rocket, Satellite Boy, The Amber Amulet, Ezi un lielpilseta (Hedgehogs and the City)
The members of the Children's Jury in Generation Kplus - Hannah Bulling, Matthias Caspari, Rosa Elina Ehrlich, Rocco Görhardt, Lenius Jung, Felix Katulski, Magdalena Kollmann, Ada Maria Nardi, Lonja Emily, Louise Siebenmann, Maja Tischmann and Fabian Welke - give the following awards:
Crystal Bear for the Best Film: The Rocket by Kim Mordaunt
After a little boy has lost his home, he and his family embark on tense journey through a spectacular natural landscape. On the way they encounter many dangers, but the boy’s biggest task is still ahead of him: he must finally prove that he can also bring good luck.
Special Mention: Satellite Boy by Catriona McKenzie
An exciting film, shot in magnificent country and with really great music. It gave us a better understanding of the culture of the Aboriginal people in Australia. The film impressed us, especially the excellent acting performances of the two young actors.
Crystal Bear for the Best Short Film: The Amber Amulet by Matthew Moore
A boy in a magic costume knows all about the power of stones and how to use their energy for a particular purpose. He makes a sad woman happy again and also conjured a smile on our own faces.
Special Mention: Ezi un lielpilseta (Hedgehogs and the City) by Ēvalds Lācis
A serious issue packed into a funny story that made us laugh. Amazing animals conquer their world back with wit and intellect.
Prizes of the International Jury in the Competition Generation Kplus
Mammu, es Tevi mīlu, Satellite Boy, Cheong, Ezi un lielpilseta
The members of the Generation Kplus International Jury - Jan Naszewski, Rosario Garcia-Montero and Katharina Reschke - give the following awards:
The Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus International Jury for the best feature film, endowed with € 7,500 by the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk:
Mammu, es Tevi mīlu (Mother, I Love You) by Jānis Nords
One little lie can change everything, because it often takes an even greater lie to leave things unrevealed. The film touched us deeply, because it gives us a look in the inner conflict of a boy, who learns to take responsibility for his actions and experiences that friendship needs honesty. Congratulation to this wonderful film!
Special Mention:
Satellite Boy by Catriona McKenzie
Sometimes you need to leave your home to know where you came from. Two boys set out for a journey across a breathtaking landscape to save their home. Good spirits and their traditions accompany them and help them to find a way back. At the end of the long walk Pete faces big decisions – and gains awareness of his roots.
The Special Prize of the Generation Kplus International Jury for the best short film, endowed with € 2,500 by the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk:
Cheong by Kim Jung-in
In order to gain acceptance one needs to learn to accept others. When a girl gives up one of her senses, she enters a new world – the one of her father. And although she cannot see it through his eyes, it is rich and satisfying. A very enjoyable and subtle impression about a life of blind people and their loved ones.
Special Mention:
Ezi un lielpilseta (Hedgehogs and the City) by Ēvalds Lācis
Ever since Jurassic Park we know that "nature will always find a way". It's only natural then that when animals are moved to the city, they quickly learn to play by the local rules. Because human economy is nothing compared to the laws of nature. When concrete jungle turns back into a forest, you know there had to be some hedgehogs involved in that.
Prizes of the Youth Jury in the Competition Generation 14plus
Baby Blues, Pluto, Rabbitland, Treffit (The Date)
The members of the Youth Jury Generation 14plus - Indira Geisel, Maxim Mersini, Jonas Mileta, Zoë Noack, Sarah Rheinfurth, Carla Romagna and Kalvin Schmidt-Rimpler Dinh - give the following awards:
Crystal Bear for the Best Film: Baby Blues by Kasia Rosłaniec
In this film we were completely unprepared for the extreme way the story unfolds. Its bold editing style, colorful cinematography and innovative direction gave the film great dynamism. The film showed us strong and complex characters who often behaved in contradictory ways. These teenagers seem to be unable to acknowledge their mistakes and take responsibility for them. They are caught between the desire for freedom and the duties of being a young parent.
Special Mention: Pluto by Shin Su-won
Our special mention goes to a film that critiques the educational structures and more broadly society in an original way, reflecting its deep injustices. The characters in this film draw us into a universe of isolation and powerlessness in the face of brutal peer pressure to conform. We felt the cosmic dimensions of the story and the protagonist’s sense that, although being alone in school is harsh, being alone in the universe is devastating.
Crystal Bear for the Best Short Film: Rabbitland by Ana Nedeljković and Nikola Majdak
This year's winner conveyed a thought-provoking theme to us combined with ironic merit and dark humor. Simply and effectively, it critiques the political structures we live under and makes us feel slightly uncomfortable about our everyday lives. The film is of worldwide relevance and was presented to us in a highly skilled and original fashion.
Special Mention: Treffit (The Date) by Jenni Toivoniemi
Two young people cross paths in an unusual situation. Before you know it, a common procedure develops into an unconventional date. We were convinced by the film’s ability to tell us far more than it showed. It presented us with a humorous interaction that didn’t immediately reveal the complexity of its themes. The multi-layered meanings of the film stayed with us long after we left the cinema.
Prizes of the International Jury in the Competition Generation 14plus
Shopping, Baby Blues, Första gången (The First Time), Barefoot
The members of the new Generation 14plus International Jury - Andrew Okpeaha MacLean, Lucy Mulloy and Xavier García Puerto - give the following awards:
The Grand Prix of the Generation 14plus International Jury for the best feature film, endowed with
€ 7,500 by the Bundeszentrale für Politische Bildung (Federal Agency for Civic Education):
Shopping by Mark Albiston and Louis Sutherland
An extremely compelling first film with a fantastic lead actor. We loved watching him on screen and felt a deep empathy with him. Sharp editing, strong visual choices and a complex, painful and loving portrayal of family. We appreciated the specificity of the world you brought us into. Your dedication to your vision is palpable.
Special Mention:
Baby Blues by Kasia Rosłaniec
We celebrate a fantastic, strong cinematic voice that confronts harsh realities with unexpected humour and style. Your strong imagery, compelling characters and a hard-hitting narrative captivated us.
The Special Prize of the Generation 14plus International Jury for the best short film, endowed with
€ 2,500 by the Bundeszentrale für Politische Bildung (Federal Agency for Civic Education):
Första gången (The First Time) by Anders Hazelius
For Best Short Film we would like to recognize a funny and surprising film that defies expectations. Insecurity and social pressure force two awkward people together to share a moment of beautiful and genuine honesty. This film displays a strong visual style and is the work of an insightful and relevant filmmaker.
Special Mention:
Barefoot by Danis Goulet
In the short film category the jury would like to thank this filmmaker for taking us into a fascinating world seldom shown on screen. This is a sensitive portrayal of a girl going to extreme and painful lengths to fit in. Your storytelling is important and has strong emotional impact. We are very much looking forward to seeing your future work.
After each Generation screening, questionnaires are distributed amongst the audience. The form offers audience members a chance to express their thoughts and opinions about the film. The film questionnaires do not have to be returned immediately in the cinema but can be completed at home and sent back to Generation by post within one month.
Every year, about 1,500 filmgoers return the questionnaire. Respondents who write openly, honestly and vividly about their film experience stand a chance of being selected to award the Crystal Bears themselves at the following year’s festival. Only children who will be aged 11-14 during the upcoming festival can sit on the Children’s Jury. The members of the Youth Jury must be at least 14, but no older than 18.
The questionnaires are also forwarded to the directors of the participating films, so that each filmmaker can find out first hand how his or her film was received by the Berlin audience.
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